BOSS-S1: Dell Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-S1) PCIe Card with Dual M.2 SSDs
Also listed as: 403-BCHS, 072WFY, 72WFY, 88SE9230 · made by Marvell
The Dell BOSS-S1 is a Dell Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-S1) PCIe Card with Dual M.2 SSDs providing hardware RAID 1 operating system boot redundancy for Dell PowerEdge R740, R640, R740XD, T640 servers.
Specifications
| Part number | BOSS-S1 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dell |
| Made by | Marvell |
| Type | Boot devices |
| Other numbers | 403-BCHS, 072WFY, 72WFY, 88SE9230 |
| Status | end of sale |
| Interface | PCIe 2.0 x2 |
| Form factor | PCIe low-profile card |
| Capacity (GB) | 480 |
| Raid levels | Hardware RAID 1 or Pass-Through |
About the BOSS-S1
The Dell BOSS-S1 is a Dell Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-S1) PCIe Card with Dual M.2 SSDs engineered for dedicated hardware RAID 1 operating system boot storage. Supporting dual M.2 SATA solid-state drives, the BOSS-S1 offloads hypervisor and OS boot volumes from front storage bays, ensuring uninterrupted host booting independent of primary data storage pools.
Compatibility
Designed for Dell PowerEdge servers including R740, R640, R740XD, T640, the BOSS-S1 installs into dedicated chassis boot bays or PCIe slots. The BOSS-S1 supports M.2 SATA SSDs configured in hardware RAID 1 or pass-through mode, with validated driver support across VMware ESXi, Linux, and Windows Server.
How to identify a genuine unit
Genuine Dell units display a serialized label showing DP/N 403-BCHS, BOSS controller branding, and PCIe certification markings. In iDRAC Storage inventory, the BOSS-S1 controller reports as a recognized Dell boot adapter with drive status, RAID 1 mirror state, and firmware revision.
Buying used
When evaluating a pre-owned BOSS-S1, inspect the M.2 card slots, screw retention posts, and gold edge contacts for physical damage. Confirm that the hot-plug drive carriers for the BOSS-S1 slide smoothly, and verify in iDRAC that both M.2 SSDs initialize in a synchronized RAID 1 volume.
Fits these models
- Dell PowerEdge R740
- Dell PowerEdge R640
- Dell PowerEdge R740xd
- Dell PowerEdge T640
- Dell PowerEdge R440
- Dell PowerEdge C6420
- Dell PowerEdge C6525
- Dell PowerEdge MX840c
- Dell PowerEdge R540
- Dell PowerEdge R6415
- Dell PowerEdge R6515
- Dell PowerEdge R740xd2
- Dell PowerEdge R7415
- Dell PowerEdge R7425
- Dell PowerEdge R7515
- Dell PowerEdge R840
- Dell PowerEdge R940
- Dell PowerEdge R940xa
- Dell PowerEdge T440
Equivalent part numbers
- Marvell 88SE9230 Marvell PCIe-SATA hardware RAID controller
FAQ
What is the primary benefit of the BOSS-S1?
It provides a hardware-mirrored OS boot drive, preserving all front hot-swap drive bays for customer data and avoiding SD card corruption.
Can standard NVMe M.2 SSDs be installed on BOSS-S1?
No, BOSS-S1 strictly requires M.2 SATA SSDs; M.2 NVMe drives are not electrically compatible.
Buying or selling BOSS-S1?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Dell Boot Optimized Storage Solution-S1 User Guide, checked 2026-10-27